Scientists have long assumed that a crystal needs to be perfect to sustain stress at its theoretical limit. Beyond this point dislocations in the crystal lattice occur, and the crystal undergoes a nonreversible change of shape, or plastic deformation. Using special instrumentation with the JEOL 3010 In Situ Transmission Electron Microscope at the National Center for Electron Microscopy (NCEM), a research team — including Berkeley Lab materials scientists Andrew Minor and Zhiwei Shan — was able to correlate high-resolution load- displacement measurements with individual video frames, showing how nanoscale volumes of aluminum deform under stress from a diamond "nanoindenter." Full story.

Rocky Saunders has been named as Berkeley Lab's new emergency services manager. Saunders previously worked with the State of California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and Office of Homeland Security. Saunders will lead the Lab's emergency planning and preparedness programs, training and exercises. Saunders can be reached at x7032 or resaunders@lbl.gov.

What’s a family picnic without fun for the kids? Children attending the Aug. 26 Founders Day at Berkeley Lab will have a range of activities to choose from – an enclosed “bounce house;” hands-on science demonstrations like “Bubbleology,” Magnets and Motors, and the Electromagnetic Spectrum; tours of the Lab Fire House and engine time; and a special “treasure hunt” in which children track down answers to Lab history questions to earn prizes. Plus food, music, tours and games. For more on the Founders Day program, go here.

Laboratory employees and visitors are reminded that authority to make contractual commitments for the expenditure of Laboratory funds is held only by specifically designated individuals, primarily assigned to the Office of the Chief Financial Officer/Procurement & Property Department. Only these formally designated individuals may commit the Laboratory to the expenditure of funds. Individuals without delegated authority who make unauthorized purchases or commitments are subject to disciplinary action and may be held responsible for part or all of the costs incurred. Obtaining Procurement Ratification of each unauthorized commitment becomes the responsibility of the Division that makes the commitment, and the Division Director bears the burden of justifying why the purchase is in the best interest of the Laboratory. For further information see RPM Section 6.01, Obtaining Goods and Services.

Several Berkeley Lab policies bear upon interactions with the news media: (1) public information documents prepared for general audiences; (2) a specified clearance procedure for press releases; (3) Laboratory staff who are independently approached by reporters; and (4) employees who are asked to reflect the results of their Laboratory work in the media. To assist with the interview process and help Lab employees to be most effective in their experiences, the Communications Department provides classes on successful interactions with the press. The complete Lab policy on public information and external relations can be found here.